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Wave nature of light cannot explain phot...

Wave nature of light cannot explain photoelectric effect because in photoelectric effect , it is seen that

A

For the frequency of light below a certain value , the photoelectric effect does not take place , irrespective of intensity

B

Maximum kinetic energy of ejected electrons of independent of intensity of radiation

C

There is no time lag between the incidence of radiation and emission of electrons

D

All of these

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The correct Answer is:
To solve the question regarding why the wave nature of light cannot explain the photoelectric effect, we can break down the explanation into clear steps: ### Step-by-Step Solution: 1. **Understanding the Photoelectric Effect**: The photoelectric effect refers to the phenomenon where electrons are emitted from a material (usually a metal) when it is exposed to light of a certain frequency. 2. **Wave Theory of Light**: According to the classical wave theory of light, light is considered as a wave that carries energy. According to this theory, the energy of the light wave is proportional to its intensity (brightness), and it is assumed that the energy is distributed over the wavefront. 3. **Emission Delay According to Wave Theory**: If light were purely a wave, the theory would suggest that when light strikes a metal surface, electrons would be emitted after a certain delay. This is because the wave would need to accumulate enough energy over time to overcome the work function (the energy needed to release an electron from the surface). 4. **Observations from the Photoelectric Effect**: However, experiments show that electrons are emitted almost instantaneously when light of a certain frequency strikes the surface, without any observable delay. This means that even a very weak light of sufficient frequency can cause immediate electron emission. 5. **Conclusion**: The immediate emission of electrons contradicts the predictions made by the wave theory of light. Therefore, the wave nature of light cannot adequately explain the photoelectric effect. Instead, the phenomenon is better explained by the particle theory of light, where light is considered to consist of particles called photons, each carrying a specific amount of energy. ### Final Answer: The wave nature of light cannot explain the photoelectric effect because, according to wave theory, electrons should be emitted after a delay, while in reality, they are emitted instantaneously upon exposure to light of sufficient frequency.
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Knowledge Check

  • In photoelectric effect, the photoelectric current is independent of

    A
    intensity of incident light
    B
    potential difference applied between the two electrodes
    C
    the nature of emitter material
    D
    frequency of incident light
  • In photoelectric effect, stopping potential depends on

    A
    frequency of incident light
    B
    nature of the emitter material
    C
    intensity of incident light
    D
    both (a) and (b)
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